Internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

The disclosure consists of an improvement in an internal combustion engine wherein the piston comprises a disc or circular plate having an annular skirt integral therewith extending upwardly and being spaced from the peripheral edges of the disc and reciprocating in an enclosed cylinder wherein the upper head of the cylinder comprises a downwardly extending circular projection, and means in said cylinder, exteriorly of said annular skirt adapted to cause combustion of blowby gases.

United States Patent Featherstone 1 Jan. 25, 197 2 54 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE 3,157,467 11/1964 Daigh et a1. ..l23/l99 B 3,306,033 2/1967 Cornelius 123/1 19 B [72] Inventor: Arthur H. Featherstone, 2895 Scenic View Road, p Calm 920m Primary ExaminerWendell E. Burns [22] Filed: Nov. 5 1970 At1orney-Conrad C. Caldwell [21] Appl. No.: 87,229 [57] ABSTRACT The disclosure consists of an improvement in an internal com- [52] U-S. Cl. bustion engine wherein the piston comprises a disc ircular 123/41.86, 123/119 B, 123/193 R late having an annular skirt integral therewith extending up- [51 Int. Cl F02f 9/00, F01p FOZb 4l/06 wa -dly and being spaced from the peripheral edges of the disc Field of Search 4175, 1 19 B, and reciprocating in an enclosed cylinder wherein the upper 1231/4136; 60/15 head of the cylinder comprises a downwardly extending circular projection, and means in said cylinder, exteriorly of said Reierences Cited annular skirt adapted to cause combustion of blowby gases.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure 1,262,457 4/1918 v Conrad ....123/l93 R INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE My invention relates to an internal combustion engine designed and adapted to promote more efficient combustion of the fuel to thereby result in a greater efficiency of operation and the emission of less air polutants.

Pollution of the atmosphere from internal combustion engines is the result of several deficiencies in internal combustion engines. It has long been recognized that imperfectly combusted gases are emitted through the crank case of an intemal combustion engine by reason of what is known as blowby. Because of the fact that it is difficult to perfectly seal the space between a piston and the cylinder walls some of the products of combustion will blow by the piston rings and cause emission of polutants.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a piston and cylinder combination wherein the blowby escapes into a secondary combustion chamber where it is more completely burned.

lt is also widely recognized that a large amount of potential power is lost by reason of incomplete combustion. Therefore an additional object of my invention is to provide a piston and cylinder combination having a secondary combustion chamber wherein the blowby gases, upon igniting, impart additional thrust to the piston.

An additional factor in decreasing the efficiency of an internal combustion engine is the relative inability of such engines to effect a complete scavenging of products of combustion before the intake of a fresh charge of air-fuel mix. it is a further object of my invention to construct an internal combustion engine which results in an almost complete scavenging of the exhaust gases.

These, and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the drawing and the specifications descriptive thereof. It will be understood that the drawing is illustrative of what I consider one of the preferred embodiments and is-not intended as a limitation of the invention.

The drawing is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation of an internal combustion engine embodying my invention in its most basic form.

1n the drawing, 1 have illustrated a fragmentary sectional view of an engine block designated generally by the number having sidewalls 11 and 12 and a vertically disposed cylinder 13 spaced from the sidewalls to form water jackets l4 and 15. The cylinder 13 defines a bore having an inner bore surface 16.

The cylinder 13 and the sidewalls 11 and 12 are connected together by a horizontal web 18.

A piston, designated generally by the numeral 20, is disposed for reciprocating motion in the cylinder 13 and comprises a circular plate or disc 21 formed integrally with an upwardly extending annular skirt 22 spaced from the peripheral edges of the disc 21 to thereby form a secondary chamber between the interior surface 16 of the cylinder 13 and the skirt 22.

Means, such as spark plug 23, is provided to initiate ignition of blowby gases in the secondary chamber. The force of the combustion in the secondary chamber reacts against the annular ledge which is defined between the annular skirt 22 and the peripheral edge of the disc 21.

it will be noted that the disc 21 is spaced from the inner surface 16 of the cylinder 13 to avoid friction with the inner wall 16 and to permit the escape of combusted gases.

The piston is also formed with a downwardly extending wristpin boss 25 adapted to receive in pivotal relation a connecting rod such as 26 by means of a wristpin 27.

A cylinder head member designated generally by the numeral 30 is secured to the upper surface of the web 18 by means of suitable fasteners such as head bolts (not shown). It

will be understood that suitable gasket means will be placed between the block 10 and the cylinder head 30.

The cylinder head 30 with a downwardly extending circular boss 32 adapted to project downwardly into the annular skirt 22 to define a combustion chamber 33 between the boss 32 and the piston 20 The boss 32 is, preferably, tapered outwardly toward the lower edge thereof and is formed, adjacent its lower edge, with annular grooves for the reception of sealing means such as piston rings 34.

The lower surface of the boss 32 is concave to thereby promote more efficient scavenging of the products of combustion, and is formed with intake and exhaust port openings 36 and 37 respectively. Standard poppet valves 38 and 39 are provided to selectively open or close the ports 36 and 37 and are controlled in the usual manner by valve stems 40 and 41.

It will be understood that such parts as rocker arms and related assemblies are not shown as they are well known to the art.

The intake port 36 communicates with carburetor or other suitable fuel supply means by means of intake port 43.

Exhaust port 37 is in communication with the standard exhaust system by means of exhaust port 44. It will be noted that the exhaust port 44 tapers outwardly away from exhaust valve 39. Such an arrangement effectively reduces back pressure upon expansion of the products of combustion and permits better and more effective scavenging of exhaust gases.

The boss 32 is also formed with a deep well 45 adapted to receive an ignition plug 47.

In the operation of my invention, the piston 20 reciprocates within the cylinder 13, and in telescopic relation with respect to boss 32 to thereby create a combustion chamber 33. The only contact between the reciprocating piston and the boss 32 is by means of the piston rings to thereby reduce friction to a minimum and promote better efficiency.

Whereas l have described my invention in its most basic form and in fragmentary view, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other standard parts such as valve rocker arms, crankshafts and other parts will be supplied. It will also be readily understood by those skilled in the art that my invention is not confined to a single cylinder engine, but can be readily adapted to multiple cylinder construction.

The drawing and specifications are intended as illustrative only and not limitation. The true scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An internal combustion engine having a cylinder, a cylinder head and a piston disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder, said piston comprising a circular disc, means for securing said disc to a connecting rod depending therefrom and an annular skirt extending upwardly from said disc and spaced from the peripheral edge of said disc; said cylinder head being formed with a downwardly extending cylindrical boss and being disposed telescopically in said annular skirt; said boss being formed with a concave lower surface.

2. An internal combustion engine of the type described in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical boss is also formed with intake and exhaust ports, said exhaust port being tapered outwardly.

3. An internal combustion engine of the type described in claim 1 wherein the peripheral edge of the disc exteriorly of said annular skirt in cooperation with said annular skirt and said cylinder defines a secondary combustion chamber for the combustion of blowby gases.

4. An internal combustion engine of the type described in claim 3 wherein said cylindrical boss is also formed with intake and exhaust ports, said exhaust port being tapered outwardly. 

1. An internal combustion engine having a cylinder, a cylinder head and a piston disposed for reciprocation in said cylinder; said piston comprising a circular disc, means for securing said disc to a connecting rod depending therefrom and an annular skirt extending upwardly from said disc and spaced from the peripheral edge of said disc; said cylinder head being formed with a downwardly extending cylindrical boss and being disposed telescopically in said annular skirt; said boss being formed with a concave lower surface.
 2. An internal combustion engine of the type described in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical boss is also formed with intake and exhaust ports, said exhaust port being tapered outwardly.
 3. An internal combustion engine of the type described in claim 1 wherein the peripheral edge of the disc exteriorly of said annular skirt in cooperation with said annular skirt and said cylinder defines a secondary combustion chamber for the combustion of blowby gases.
 4. An internal combustion engine of the type described in claim 3 wherein said cylindrical boss is also formed with intake and exhaust ports, said exhaust port being tapered outwardly. 